'Quad Not Against Anybody, It's About Doing Projects On...': MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday addressed a number of issues including recently held Quad foreign ministers meeting in India, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval's visit to Moscow, India's FTA talks with ASEAN nations, United States, the situation in Mideast among other issues.Emphasizing that Quad is not against anyone, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "...Quad is for something. It is not against anybody. Quad is about doing projects together for the benefit of people in the Indo-Pacific area. The quad has taken up projects and initiatives in the field of climate action, health, disaster management and several other areas... Quad has an expansive agenda, and the idea there is to bring value to people's lives in the four

countries of the Quad, as well as the countries with whom we are working in the region."

MEA On Ajit Doval's Moscow Visit

On NSA Ajit Doval's statement regarding cross-border terrorism in Moscow, Randhir Jaiswal said, "...cross-border terrorism is a threat which the whole world must come together and combat, and we must call out countries that are supportive of terrorism and that are promoting cross-border terrorism from their territories.When asked to respond on India's trade talks with ASEAN nations, Jaiswal said, "...These conversations are going on, and as to where exactly we are, I don't have an update..."

MEA on Indian Vessels Stranded in Gulf, First Gas Shipment From Norway

On the situation of Indian vessels in the war-hit Gulf region, Jaiswal said, "It is our understanding that 11 Indian flagged vessels are still in the Persian Gulf region, and 14 of these ships have come back. I mean, they were there in the Persian Gulf, but they were able to cross the Straits of Hormuz, and they have reached India."Regarding the first shipment of gas from Norway that arrived in India, Jaiswal said, "Energy security is very important for us. We are trying to diversify our sources from across the world. That is our policy right now, and we welcome whatever support we can get from various markets across the world. In regard to a specific question, has something else also come here? I don't have an update. Perhaps the shipping ministry may have, or I will come back to you on that."

MEA on Illegal Infiltrators And Bangladeshis

Speaking on illegal infiltrators, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "All illegal nationals who are staying in India will be dealt with as per the law. In the case of Bangladesh, as I had informed you earlier, we have referred 2,680 cases or more than 2,680 cases to the Bangladeshi side for them to verify the nationality of those people that we have handed over the names of. Once this nationality verification is done, we will be in a position to deport these nationals of Bangladesh."He further added, "In many cases, I had told you earlier that these verifications are pending for more than 5 years or so, and it is our expectation that we will receive an early response from Bangladesh on this particular issue, so that the bilateral arrangement that we have between both countries, based on that, these people who are staying here can be sent back to or deported back to Bangladesh."

MEA on Myanmar President's India Visit

Randhir Jaiswal also briefed about Myanmar President's upcoming visit to India and said that the visit is expected to further strengthen and deepen the multifaceted relations."This is Myanmar's president's first visit... Myanmar is a neighbor for us. It lies at the confluence of India's neighbourhood first, Act East and Mahasagar policies. This visit is expected to further strengthen and deepen the multifaceted relations between the two countries... The talks that we'll have during his official visit will strengthen our historical and civilizational ties. And he'll also participate in a business forum."

MEA on India-Canada Trade Deal

The Ministry of External Affairs informed that India is doing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Canada adding they refer to this as a CEPA, a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. "Several rounds of negotiations have already taken place, and both sides are making concerted efforts to advance the process so that the ongoing CEPA talks between Canada and India can be finalised and formally approved as soon as possible."

MEA on China-Pakistan Joint Statement

On joint statement between China and Pakistan, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Regarding the joint statement issued by China and Pakistan, we have released our own statement in response, that constitutes one distinct issue. As for the WMCC (Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination), that is a separate matter entirely. With respect to the statement concerning China, we have publicly articulated our perspective on this issue for everyone to see, and we have made our stance public...""We are closely following the developments there, and we shall keep you updated if there are any further issues that we have to flag for you."